5/13/2011 1:45 PM

A group of Millikin University history students recently made presentations at the 31st annual Illinois History Symposium, held at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale’s Morris Library.

Millikin University students Kara Allison, Amy Drewel and Marissa Duffey made presentations during this year’s symposium, “Sacred Oaths; Shallow Graves: Illinois in the Civil War, Part I.” The event included speeches, workshops and seminars for students and faculty to attend.

Student presentations included “Camp Douglas in History and Memory” by Duffey; “Women, Slaves, and Indians in French Illinois” by Drewel; and “Chicago Convention, 1968” by Allison.

“I am delighted that Millikin history and social science education students participated in the conference,” remarked Dr. Dan Monroe, assistant professor and chair of the Millikin history department. “The students’ panel had excellent attendance, and the presentations were very thorough and professional. Mark Sorenson, the president of the Illinois State Historical Society, commented on the papers and found much of which to praise. I am so proud of these outstanding students.”

The event coincided with the opening of Morris Library’s new exhibit that highlights the experiences of two southern women during the Civil War. The exhibit showcases letters written by Emily Davie Wiley and Nancy Clendenin Mann, both of whom had husbands in the 5th Illinois Cavalry. Their struggles relating to money, family and health are all seen through the letters.